Got my SourceEast card on Wednesday, so thought I'd give it a try at a local site to be sure it works.
Went to Cambridge Park&Ride Madingley Rd. Found the charge points after two laps of the site. Plugged in. Applied SourceEast branded smartcard to SourceEast branded post: 'tag read OK' then 'card not found' and a red flashing light (and no charge). Tried the other post (without plugging in) - same result.
Called the phone number on the post (same number on card). 'Source East' answered; said they needed to get someone to call me back.
Someone from 'PodPoint' called back; after some discussion of the location, decided it wasn't one of their posts (and indeed it says 'Elektromotive' under the SourceEast branding). Gave me the number for Elektromotive. Called the number; answerphone says they are only open 09:00-17:30 mon-fri and suggests leaving a message if wanting to report a fault.
Called SourceEast again and explained that I didn't want PodPoint, it's an Elektromotive site. Said someone would call back.
Same guy from PodPoint calls back.
Called SourceEast a third time. Different guy. Says the only thing he can do is to get someone to call me back - not sure who it will be as he just dials a number and it's 'automated'. Agree that it's a waste of time.
So, just as well I wasn't in desperate need of a charge.
Also, these unhelpful helplines were all 0845 numbers - haven't they heard that 0845 numbers for helplines are now illegal?
Went to Cambridge Park&Ride Madingley Rd. Found the charge points after two laps of the site. Plugged in. Applied SourceEast branded smartcard to SourceEast branded post: 'tag read OK' then 'card not found' and a red flashing light (and no charge). Tried the other post (without plugging in) - same result.
Called the phone number on the post (same number on card). 'Source East' answered; said they needed to get someone to call me back.
Someone from 'PodPoint' called back; after some discussion of the location, decided it wasn't one of their posts (and indeed it says 'Elektromotive' under the SourceEast branding). Gave me the number for Elektromotive. Called the number; answerphone says they are only open 09:00-17:30 mon-fri and suggests leaving a message if wanting to report a fault.
Called SourceEast again and explained that I didn't want PodPoint, it's an Elektromotive site. Said someone would call back.
Same guy from PodPoint calls back.
Called SourceEast a third time. Different guy. Says the only thing he can do is to get someone to call me back - not sure who it will be as he just dials a number and it's 'automated'. Agree that it's a waste of time.
So, just as well I wasn't in desperate need of a charge.
Also, these unhelpful helplines were all 0845 numbers - haven't they heard that 0845 numbers for helplines are now illegal?